Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Hathorn Funeral Home for Stephen Scott McDonald, 45, of Columbia, who passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023. Interment will be at New Bunker Hill Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Mark McArthur and Rev. Tommy Broom will officiate the services. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Hathorn Funeral Home.

In Scott's 45 years on this earth he wore many hats . . . son, grandson, brother, cousin, husband, uncle, friend, and most important, Father.

Scott was born January 31, 1978 at Forrest General Hospital to Nancy Lee Conerly and Stephen Cody McDonald. This blue-eyed, cotton-top, baby boy brought so much joy to this family, and he quickly became his sister, Sandy's, favorite baby doll. Throughout Scott's childhood, he learned the importance of hard work and picked up many life skills. Scott was the hardest worker you could find! He would go from the garden to the Goss Pool . . . school to Western Auto . . . Chapman systems to drag racing . . . to Forrest General Hospital . . . then to his home. His favorite job was with his mom at Tolar's Christmas Tree Farm.

He grew up in Goss Baptist Church, where he learned the most valuable treasure of all . . . being a Christian. He met so many wonderful people at Goss, who helped mold him into the man he was. This is where he also met his wife, Julie. Scott and Julie were married at Goss Baptist Church, February 7, 2004 with Rev. Mark McArthur officiating. Scott and Julie welcomed their only son Stephen "Blake" McDonald, May 27, 2007 at Forrest General Hospital. Every amazing trait Scott had was almost identically passed on to Blake, his most valuable early possession.

Scott, from birth, was always meant to be at Forrest General Hospital. He became a full-time employee there, July of 1999. After 23 years, and one month shy of 24, he spent some of his final days at home worrying about his work. In December of 2022, he was honored to be named Employee of the Year. On September 29, 2022, Scott was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. From the Beginning of this journey, he would stress to everyone, "Take the time to make time to SLOW DOWN!!" He would also say that if one good thing came from this journey, then it was all worth it.

Scott spent his last few months on this journey surrounded by his family and friends. He would take every opportunity to "Adventure" with his favorite people in the world. His best adventures included Blake, Robbie, Kaitlyn, Aubrey, and Grace. His favorite thing to do was spending Thursday and Friday nights cheering his favorite Cougar boys with his favorite Cougar girls. Tailgating at home games was also a favorite time, and it kept everyone hopeful that he would make his famous jambalaya.

In his final days, he always had a smile on his face and all the love in his heart. He was surrounded by his family and friends. Always covered in prayer from people all over. The vast majority of those prayers were from his "Chicken Showing Family" who were just that – Family.

He was preceded in death by his Grandparents T.C. & Irene McDonald; Grandparents, Wallace & Minnie Lee Conerly; and one Nephew, Jacob Thompson.

He is survived by his Wife of 19 years, Julie Bryant McDonald; one Son, Stephen Blake McDonald; his Father, Stephen Cody McDonald (Dee); his Mother, Nancy Conerly; one Sister, Sandy McDonald Tolley (Michael); one Nephew, Robbie Hester; and three Nieces, Kaitlyn Hester, Aubrey Tidwell, Grace Tidwell.

Pallbearers will be Charles Turnage, David Oxner, Dustin McCain, Joe Joe Temples, Stevie Rogers, and Stacy Buckley. Honorary pallbearers will be Kris Barber, Ashley Daniels, and the Columbia Academy High School & Junior High Football Team.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Columbia Academy Football in memory of Scott McDonald.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book atwww.hathornfuneralhome.com.